Mon December 6, 2010

Top Morning Stories December 6, 2010

The college football bowl match ups are out. Number 3 TCU will play in its first Rose Bowl game; they’ll take on Number 4 Wisconsin. Texas A&M will play LSU in the Cotton Bowl. Baylor made it to Houston’s Texas Bowl and Texas Tech will play in the inaugural Ticket City Bowl in Dallas. The Longhorns aren’t headed to a bowl game after finishing the season 5-7.

Texas Death Penalty Under the Microscope

The state’s criminal justice system, particularly the death penalty, will be under scrutiny today. Governor Rick Perry has said he thinks the process works and that it’s "fair and appropriate". But in a hearing scheduled to start today, a district judge in Houston will consider whether the risk of executing an innocent person makes capital punishment unconstitutional in Texas. Our political reporting partner, The Texas Tribune, has more on the hearing brought forward by an accused killer. Texas executes more people than any other state.

Budget Cuts Ahead for AISD

The Austin Independent School District’s Board will look ahead to its 2012 budget this evening. The district’s expecting a nearly $22 million shortfall for 2012. District officials say that number goes up if you take into account expected losses in federal and state dollars. Tonight the board will consider some budget cuts to close the gap. That discussion’s scheduled to start at 7:15 p.m. Get more details here.

Capitol Christmas Tree Lit

Austinites got into the Christmas spirit with some caroling and the lighting of the state Capitol Christmas tree over the weekend. Thousands joined KUT's John Aielli on the south steps of the Capitol for the annual Holiday Sing-Along. And Congress was packed with people shopping from local vendors and enjoying live music.